PNP relieves Ilocos Norte commander hours after start of poll gun ban

Ilocos Norte's provincial police director was relieved from his post on the first day of the Philippine National Police's (PNP) implementation of the election gun ban.

Senior Superintendent Albert Ocon said that his relief came as a surprise because he did not receive a prior notice from his superiors.

Ocon also said that he was even with Chief Superintendent Ericson Velazques, director of the Police Regional Office 1, before he received the relief order.

The relieved provincial police commander has been temporarily assigned with the PRO1 regional headquaters in San Fernando, La Union.

Ocon said Senior Superintendent Jose Melecio Nartates took over his position.

The election gun ban started on Sunday, January 10, which was also the start of the election period.

Police checkpoints have been placed in strategic areas nationwide as part of the gun ban's implementation. —ALG, GMA News